Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified the key enzyme Brg1, which plays a vital role in both fetal heart development and causing cardiac hypertrophy in adults. The discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for heart disease.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute have identified a gene controlling the difference in sex pheromone production between two European Corn Borer races, E and Z. The study found that this genetic variation leads to reproductive isolation, potentially marking the beginning of new species evolution.
A review of studies on IVM fertility treatment suggests that babies born after IVM may be more likely to have larger offspring syndrome and experience difficult births requiring caesareans. The authors urge caution in the use of IVM until further studies can clarify their findings.
Scientists have developed a multilayered, nano-sized film containing alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone to regenerate dental pulp, potentially revitalizing damaged teeth and reducing the need for root canal procedures. The film has anti-inflammatory properties and increased the number of fibroblasts in dental pulp.
Scientists discovered a connection between flowering and freezing tolerance in wheat, enabling the crop to better withstand winter temperatures. The study found that exposing wheat varieties to non-freezing cold temperatures accelerates flowering time and prepares the plant to tolerate freezing.
A study found that anger is the dominant emotion driving the 'rally 'round the flag effect', where Americans surge support for their president during war or conflict. The study showed that anger, not anxiety, triggers and feeds this phenomenon, regardless of initial political leanings.
Researchers found that virgin olive oil decreases oncogene p21Ras activity and stimulates tumour cell death, while also preventing DNA damage. This study provides new insights into the protective role of virgin olive oil against breast cancer.
Researchers have found vitrified eggs produce on-going pregnancies with similar success as freshly harvested oocytes. The study's results will improve egg banking practices, enabling cancer patients and others at risk of infertility to access fertility treatment more safely.
Three scientists from Scripps Research will receive funding to develop advanced cancer therapies. Glenn Micalizio, Thomas Bannister, and Douglas Kojetin will explore novel protein targets and cancer treatment pathways.
Researchers found that organic farming increases beneficial predator populations, reducing insect pests and promoting larger potato plants. This biodiversity conservation may be the secret behind organic farmers' success in achieving high yields.
Researchers found that beverage isotopes in hair can serve as chemical fingerprints to pinpoint geographic regions where individuals have been. The study analyzed isotope patterns in bottled water, soda pop, and beer from 33 cities, revealing characteristic 'iso-signatures' for each region.
A study by CSIRO Australia suggests that a more flexible approach to protected areas can improve biodiversity conservation. Replacing the least cost-effective sites with new ones could double the number of vegetation types protected by 15% or more, while reducing management costs.
A collaborative project is digitizing and consolidating nearly one million specimen records from ten bee collections across the US to create a centralized database. The project aims to understand native bees' roles in agricultural and natural systems and predict risks to bees due to climate change and habitat loss.
A nationwide US plan to pay hospitals for performance may exacerbate existing healthcare disparities, as hospitals in under-resourced areas lose funding to those in more affluent regions. The study found that US hospitals in richer economic areas achieved higher clinical process scores than their counterparts in less-advantaged areas.
Researchers found that female immune cells actively produce specific T regulatory cells in response to fetal antigens, protecting the fetus from rejection. This active immune tolerance is essential for successful pregnancies and may provide insights into pregnancy-related conditions such as preeclampsia.
The US Department of Agriculture has released two new kidney bean germplasm lines, TARS HT-1 and TARS HT-2, that are tolerant to high temperature conditions. These germplasm lines can improve yields under hot summer conditions for farmers in regions prone to high temperature stress.
New eco-friendly cremation methods use low-heat processes and break down corpses into soil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A corpse composting method turns bodies into natural soil without a sealed casket, providing environmentally friendly burial options
Experts in pathology are advocating for a comprehensive training program to integrate genomics and personalized medicine into daily practices. The proposed curriculum would cover laboratory medicine, genetic counseling, and health information technology, enabling pathologists to serve as primary consultants for physicians and patients.
Newborns of non-smoking mothers exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy have genetic mutations that may affect long-term health, including survival, birth weight, and susceptibility to diseases like cancer. The study confirms previous research on the effects of passive smoke on gene expression.
Scientists measure delay of tens of attoseconds between light pulse and electron emission, challenging existing models. The findings have important implications for simulating electronic properties of materials.
In European mountains, burning has become a common tool for managing scrubland, but its impact on bird populations is varied. The study found that some species, such as the Dartford warbler, recover more slowly after fire at higher altitudes.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a direct connection between plant development and growth, revealing that the Short-root protein controls the activity of genes involved in cell division. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of growth and development in plants and potentially other species.
A new study found that excess nitrogen in estuaries can alter the composition of plant species, favoring grasses over sedges that respond poorly to rising CO2 levels. This shift can impact ecosystem capacity to store carbon and adapt to climate change.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that sleep strengthens weak associations in the brain, improving prospective memory and recall of future intentions. The study showed that a good night's sleep helps individuals carry out their plans more effectively by enhancing the link between context and intention.
Researchers have discovered a crucial protein controlling cell division and acquisition of characteristics in plants. This breakthrough provides new insights into the co-ordination of cellular processes and may have implications for animal biology and organ formation.
The Elsevier Foundation has awarded a $177,000 grant to the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSDW) to support young women scientists. The grant will fund a seven-country assessment of women's participation in science and innovation systems.
A North Carolina State University study reveals that older adults fare equally well as young adults in making intuitive decisions, but face challenges with complex decision-making. Older adults with higher education performed better at remembering specific criteria and utilizing them when making decisions.
The European Space Agency has received tiny microshutters, as small as human hair, which will focus the infrared camera on specific targets to the exclusion of others. These microshutters are a key component in the James Webb Space Telescope's ability to observe distant stars and galaxies.
Researchers at University of Arizona successfully created nitrogenated organic molecules in a laboratory setting that mimics Titan's atmosphere. The findings suggest that complex organic molecules could be present on Titan, potentially creating conditions conducive to life.
Researchers found that bacteria release extracellular DNA (eDNA) when relatives die, which inhibits the sticky holdfasts of living cells from adhering to surfaces. This allows surviving cells to escape established colonies and outcompete each other for better conditions.
The TRMM satellite detected scattered moderate to strong convection southwest of Darby's center, with isolated strong convection also seen over the Gulf of Tehauntepec. Darby's remnants are expected to weaken and move northwest towards Caribbean Tropical Storm Alex.
Researchers have discovered a strain of genetically defective mice that exhibit behavioral, hormonal, and neurochemical characteristics similar to those of human patients with drug-resistant depression. The mice respond to certain antidepressant drugs, offering a potential animal model for understanding human depression.
Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics have made a breakthrough in developing diamond nitrogen vacancy materials for room-temperature quantum computing. The team's discovery could lead to significant advances in condensed matter physics, quantum information science, and diamond making technology.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered that the cytokine interleukin-17 plays a significant role in disc disease and may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches. Targeting this immune response could reduce painful inflammation and halt the evolution of arthritis.
A study found that US hospitals in disadvantaged areas lag behind in treating heart failure and heart attack, despite improvement over time. The pay-for-performance program may exacerbate existing inequalities in the healthcare system.
Researchers found desert-living bats have reduced cutaneous water loss compared to non-desert species, with a potential mechanism involving lipid composition adjustments. This adaptation could provide significant insight into how bats cope with future climate changes.
The authors propose a new paradigm for breast cancer screening, shifting focus from mammography to more effective early detection methods. Behavioral interventions appear to have limited impact on repeat screening rates, and media attention highlights the flaws of current technologies.
A researcher at the University of Illinois Chicago is using computer modeling to improve the durability of mud bricks and rammed earth structures. The project aims to provide insights into their structural behavior and design safer buildings.
Research from Queen's University Belfast suggests that Irish hare populations are declining due to changes in farming practices. Hares require a specific patchwork of grassland and tall vegetation for feeding and hiding, but silage fields are mistakenly identified as suitable habitats, leading to traps and population declines.
Children in Uganda have high levels of lead poisoning due to proximity to a landfill, with 20.5% of children having elevated blood lead levels, posing developmental risks.
A five-year pan-European research project is investigating whether working conditions in hospitals contribute to doctor 'burnout' and affect patient care. The study aims to identify issues within the workplace that lead to burnout and develop strategies to improve organisational culture, reduce stress, and enhance patient safety.
Researchers found that predator scent enhanced the ability of pond snails to form memory following training, while overcrowding and reduced calcium had a blocking effect. The scientists believe that the ability to remember unfamiliar environments, new predators and food sources is vital to the survival of the pond snail in the wild.
Researchers found that adding a continuous blood sugar sensor to an insulin pump improved blood sugar control, with significant decreases in A1c levels and no increase in severe hypoglycemia. The study's findings suggest that this technology can help patients of all ages manage their diabetes effectively.
Celia's remnant low pressure area shows maximum sustained winds of 20-25 knots with estimated minimum central pressure of 1007 millibars. The system is expected to gradually spin down and open into a trough by the end of the week.
New data demonstrate Vimpat (lacosamide) C-V's sustained efficacy in reducing seizure frequency and improving responder rates when added to a broad range of antiepileptic drugs. Long-term results show improved seizure control for up to 5 years, with median percent reductions in seizure frequency ranging from 45.5% to 71.8%.
The ACCORD Eye Study found that intensive blood sugar control and combination lipid therapy slowed diabetic retinopathy progression by about one-third. Combination therapy reduced disease progression compared to statin therapy alone.
A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that students who lived abroad showed more evidence of creativity than those who didn't. Multicultural learning is believed to be a critical component of the adaptation process, acting as a creativity catalyst.
A recent brain study published in the Journal of Neuroscience has found that increased levels of dopamine in the brain make individuals more likely to choose instant gratification over longer-term rewards. This is linked to conditions such as ADHD, where high dopamine levels contribute to impulsive behavior.
Researchers propose a mechanism for reducing 'roughening' in pSiCOH materials etched in fluorocarbon plasmas. The findings could help overcome scaling challenges in integrated circuit manufacturing.
The UCLA engineer's telemedicine invention uses a lensless cellphone microscope to detect sub-cellular elements and has the potential to revolutionize healthcare in developing countries. With its ability to be miniaturized, inexpensive, and easy to use, this technology aims to bridge the gaps left by inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
Researchers have developed a new method to manufacture highly stable glass films with properties equivalent to those of conventionally aged glasses. This breakthrough uses physical vapor deposition and alternating current nanocalorimetry, enabling the production of 'impossible materials' in a matter of minutes.
A study found that overweight and obese individuals from the Asia-Pacific region are significantly more likely to die from cancer compared to normal-weight individuals. The research highlights the urgent need for effective strategies to tackle the obesity epidemic in Asia, which is fuelled by lifestyle changes and fattier diets.
A recent study suggests the Arctic climate system may be more sensitive to greenhouse warming than previously thought. The researchers used three independent methods to measure Pliocene temperatures on Ellesmere Island, finding that CO2 levels of approximately 400 parts per million can produce mean annual temperatures in the High Arcti...
Researchers found that meniscal and cruciate ligament lesions increase the risk of developing specific types of knee osteoarthritis. Surgical therapy does not reduce this risk, according to a new study published in Radiology.
A recent study found that the original HIV strain still exists in the body months after initial infection, with immune cells degrading it at an accelerated rate. The research analyzed over 100,000 genetic snippets and revealed that the virus mutates rapidly to evade the immune system, but certain portions remain persistent.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have successfully tracked the progression of adult stem cells through live imaging, gaining insight into how they are reprogrammed and evolve over time. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and effective cell reprogramming techniques for treating diseases such as Parkinson's.
Researchers will investigate how methamphetamine use affects dental disease and develop targeted interventions for dentists to detect drug abuse in patients. The study aims to improve early detection and treatment of 'meth mouth', a uniquely accelerated form of extensive dental disease.
Researchers are harnessing local community champions to challenge smoking norms and encourage quitting in Aspley ward, where 53% of residents smoke. The two-year project will profile positive messages to smokers and enlist the help of community champions to raise awareness.
Researchers at NYU identified a key mechanism in the brain's computation of sound location, challenging existing theories. The study found that neurons respond to the rise time of synaptic inputs rather than their width.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a way to create an organic framework that could lead to economical, flexible and versatile solar cells. The new method uses molecules typically used in blue jean and ink dyes, assembling them into a two-dimensional sheet with high surface area.